Is Houston or Los Banos Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Banos is safer than Houston (Safety Score 39/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,046 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 62% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Banos has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 46.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Banos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Los Banos, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Los Banos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,046.5 | +3,395.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 213.9 | +934.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.0 | +11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 40.4 | +32.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 40.4 | +233.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 131.2 | +656.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,832.5 | +2,460.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 201.8 | +442.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,404.7 | +1,541.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 226.0 | +477.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Los Banos safer?
Los Banos is safer with a total crime rate of 2,046 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Los Banos has 213.9. Los Banos has lower violent crime.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Los Banos, CA
Los Banos, Spanish for "The Baths," was founded in 1889 as a watering stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. This Central Valley city, home to over 45,000 residents, sits at the edge of agricultural lands and wildlife refuges. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 49,549, Los Banos has a total crime rate of 2,046.5 per 100,000 residents.